Rep picks

Reyhan Harmanci

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, February 21, 2008

"Brokeback Mountain" and "I'm Not There" Heath Ledger's death lends new weight to two of his final roles: in the triumphant 2005 Ang Lee picture, "Brokeback Mountain," and last year's imaginative Bob Dylan biopic by Todd Haynes, "I'm Not There." In his career, Ledger went from bubble-gum teen idol to A-list actor. "Brokeback Mountain" will probably be how most people remember him - as the stoic Ennis Del Mar, a man divorced from his emotions. With few words, Ledger managed to convey Ennis' depth of feeling. In "I'm Not There," Ledger played the rock star Dylan, the cheating husband who left his wife and children at home while he roamed the world. "Brokeback Mountain" plays Sun.-Mon at the Castro Theatre,421 Castro St., S.F. (415) 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com. "I'm Not There" plays Fri.-Sat. at the Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight St., S.F. (415) 668-3994. www.redvicmoviehouse.com.

"Passion & Power: The Technology of Orgasm" Vibrators have come a long way in the past few decades, but they are not new. In this documentary, the history of female vibrators and, by extension, cultural attitudes toward female orgasm are explored. Opens Fri. Through Feb. 28. Roxie Theatre, 3117 16th St., S.F. (415) 863-1087. www.roxie.com.

"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" While the 2005 Tim Burton remake of "Willy Wonka" wasn't a total disaster, no one could say it came close to the creepy delight of the original 1971 film starring Gene Wilder. Writer Roald Dahl knew better than most that the best children's stories are essentially horror stories, and "Willy Wonka" is no exception. Sun.-Mon. Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight St., S.F. (415) 668-3994. www.redvicmoviehouse.com.